Ball excellence" has been huge for Kentucky this season

Kentucky coach Will Stein has been framing the team’s turnover statistics as “ball excellence,” emphasizing both protecting the ball and creating takeaways. After Kentucky’s win over Oklahoma—where the Wildcats forced four turnovers while committing none—Stein said the turnover margin “gives you more chances to win,” even though it doesn’t guarantee success by itself. Kentucky is +11 in turnover margin this season, the best mark in the SEC and third nationally. The article notes the last time Kentucky had a number even close was in the shortened 2020 season at +10, and that it hadn’t posted a positive total like this since 2014. The piece ties the stat to Kentucky’s position atop the SEC standings and its College Football Playoff hopes.